Cast: Nick Cannon, Zoe Saldana, Orlando Jones, Leonard Roberts, GQ, Jason Weaver
Director: Charles Stone III
Producers: Timothy M. Bourne, Wendy Finerman, Jody Gerson
Screenplay: Tina Gordon Chism and Shawn Schepps
Cinematography: Shane Hurlbut
Music: John Powell
U.S. Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Just when I thought I had seen every conceivable twist on the Rocky storyline, along comes something like Drumline to surprise me. Despite being pure formula from start to finish, this movie works for two obvious reasons: a star-making turn by Nick Cannon and a stereotype-busting look at one of the most frequently derided of scholastic extracurricular activities: the marching band. Drumline offers little that's surprising or groundbreaking, but, because the script is smart enough not to insult us and to develop a group of interesting characters, the act of watching the film is an entertaining experience rather than a tedious exercise.
The film introduces viewers to the competitive world of collegiate marching bands, for whom "halftime is game time." Devon (Nick Cannon) is a highly sought-after drummer who is attending Atlanta A&T on a full band scholarship. Devon is more cocky than the average freshman, wooing Laila (Zoe Saldana), an upperclass philosophy major with a passion for dance, and openly feuding with his section leader, Sean (Leonard Roberts). He also believes that the numbers chosen by the band leader, Dr. Lee (Orlando Jones), are outmoded and boring. His tendency towards flamboyancy makes him a controversial individual, but, when he is unable to repress his need for individual glory and live by Dr. Lee's motto of "one band, one sound," he finds himself on the sidelines heading into the BET Big Southern Classic band championship against A&T's arch-rival, Morris Brown University.
For someone like me, whose only exposure to bands has been during parades and halftime shows at football games, watching Drumline was as educational as it was enjoyable. I learned quite a bit about the band subculture (far more than I did about cheerleading in Bring It On). Of course, the movie's primary goal is to inspire, not instruct, but it never hurts to provide a little background for those who might not be as immersed in the subject matter as the characters.
Drumline is a star vehicle for Nickelodeon staple Nick Cannon, who is making his first significant foray onto the big screen. Cannon carries himself well, coming across as self-confident and charismatic, without taking things to the level that would make him abrasive. He's more Will Smith than Martin Lawrence. If he chooses his roles wisely, there's no reason he can't find the same kind of mainstream success achieved by Smith. During the course of Drumline, he shows an affinity for both light drama and restrained comedy, having no difficulty with scenes that require pathos or intensity.
The soundtrack for Drumline – undoubtedly one of the film's selling points – is cross-generational, with the band playing more than just traditional marching tunes. But those performances are just color. At Drumline's heart are the characters and the behind-the-scenes politicking that goes on whenever money is involved. (The leader of Morris Brown's band is eager to pull Devon away from Atlanta A&T – not only because he's a good drummer, but because of the insider information he can provide about what Dr. Lee is planning for the BET.) Director Charles Stone never strays too far from the familiar, but there are nice little twists that keep the production fresh. (Yes, Devon and Sean's relationship softens, but Dr. Lee never turns into Mr. Chips, and, in fact, he is forced to compromise his high values in order to keep his job.) Coming in the midst of so many high-profile, end-of-the-year motion picture, Drumline is a pleasant, and very welcome, surprise.
© 2002 James Berardinelli